Chapter 237: Chapter 237: I Want to Ask You Something
Du Changting’s curiosity about Su Qing stemmed from Feng Bozhou—the police captain who had extended an olive branch to her on the train to Beijing.
Feng Bozhou and Du Changting were classmates and childhood friends who had always been very close. After failing to recruit Su Qing, Feng Bozhou learned she was from a village in Xiyuan County, so he naturally brought it up with Du Changting.
As it happened, Du Changting already knew of Su Qing. His most vivid impression was of her jumping into a frozen river to save someone in the dead of winter, all without any equipment. Even for a trained professional, diving into an icy river without gear was an incredibly dangerous feat.
Then, through Feng Bozhou, Du Changting learned that Su Qing also possessed incredible combat skills. He was instantly overcome with a profound curiosity about her.
This was especially true because two recent cases had been solved, in large part, thanks to little notes delivered by a mysterious person. The clues on those notes were the reason they had cracked the cases so quickly and smoothly.
For some reason, Du Changting had a gut feeling that those little notes might be connected to Su Qing.
So, when he heard Su Qing had filed a report today, he came over with his team.
Neither the Old Su Family nor the crowd of gawking villagers had expected Su Qing to actually file a police report. And they certainly didn’t expect the police to actually show up.
Old Su stammered, "Off... Officer, this... this is just a family dispute. It’s not that... that serious, is it?"
’Oh, for heaven’s sake! They already had one Su Tao face a firing squad. If Tian Aixiang gets taken away by the police today, how will the Old Su Family ever show their faces in the village again?’
Hearing Old Su’s words, Du Changting addressed her with a serious expression. "Ma’am, I’ve already heard the details of the situation from your village leader. Tian Aixiang’s actions constitute slander, which is a crime. Since the victim has filed a report, it is our duty to handle the case."
"Wha... Slander? A crime?" Old Su didn’t understand. It sounded so serious. ’It was just a bit of gossip, how... how did it become a crime?’
’Isn’t this how people always gossip in the village?’
But this time, Tian Aixiang’s gossip hadn’t just brought Su Qing over, it had brought the police. A furious hatred welled up inside Old Su. She glared at Tian Aixiang, making a vicious vow in her heart. ’Once this is all over, I’ll make my third son divorce this good-for-nothing woman. Because of her, she’s brought nothing but bad luck to our Su Family!’
As for Tian Aixiang, she was completely dumbfounded. It wasn’t until two officers stood before her and told her she had to come to the County Public Security Bureau to assist with the investigation that she snapped out of it. She started shouting, her words slurring together, "I just said a few things! Why are you arresting me? I’m not going! I’m not going!"
Then, Tian Aixiang turned to Su Shengli, pleading, "Husband, say something!"
When she saw that Su Shengli, far from helping her, was cowering behind Old Su, and that no one else in the Su Family had any intention of stepping in, Tian Aixiang’s heart went cold.
Realizing Su Qing was the key, Tian Aixiang quickly turned to her. "Su Qing, I was just upset, that’s why I said those things about you. I didn’t mean to slander you. For the sake of our family, please, just let me off this one time, okay?"
"No," Su Qing said coldly. "Don’t think for a second I don’t know what’s going on in your head. You saw the police show up, so now you’re scared. If I back down today, you’ll just be even worse tomorrow. You’ll think that all you have to do is say a few nice words and beg, and I’ll let you off. Then you won’t have to worry about a thing. Isn’t that right?"
"No, no! I’ll never say another bad word about you again!" Tian Aixiang was truly terrified. No matter how resentful she felt, she didn’t dare cross Su Qing again. She didn’t want to be arrested.
"I don’t believe a single word of your promises," Su Qing said flatly. "Tian Aixiang, we’re not even family anymore—I officially separated from the Old Su Family long ago. But even if we hadn’t, I would never acknowledge someone like you as an elder. If you had the guts to ruin my reputation, then you should have the courage to face the consequences."
"No!" Seeing that begging Su Qing was useless, Tian Aixiang knew no one could help her. She didn’t even think about Zhao Youcai; after all, he was the one who had brought the police. In a panic, she tried to run, but an officer grabbed her firmly. There was no escape. "Let me go! Let me go!"
As they watched Tian Aixiang get led away by the police, the surrounding villagers broke into whispers, a new level of fear and respect for Su Qing dawning on them.
Meanwhile, Old Su was telling Su Shengli, "When that disgraceful woman gets back, you’re divorcing her. Our Su Family can’t have a woman who brings such shame to our name."
Su Shengli nodded eagerly. Even if Old Su hadn’t said a word, he was already planning to divorce Tian Aixiang. Otherwise, how could he ever face anyone again?
Du Changting had his team members take Tian Aixiang outside to wait. He then turned to Su Qing. "Comrade Su Qing, do you have a moment to talk?"
Su Qing nodded. "Let’s go to my courtyard."
"Alright."
Su Qing led Du Changting back to her courtyard and poured him a glass of water. "What did you want to talk about, Captain Du?"
Du Changting smiled. "I’m a straightforward person, I hope you don’t mind."
"Not at all. Please, Captain Du, speak freely."
"Alright, then I’ll get right to it." Du Changting nodded. "I heard you’re a very skilled fighter."
Su Qing arched an eyebrow at his words.
Du Changting quickly added, "I only heard about it from a good friend of mine. I believe you remember him—you met on the train to Beijing a while back."
"Captain Feng?" Hearing this, Su Qing immediately knew who he was talking about.
Du Changting smiled. "Yes, that’s the one."
"So, what brings you here today, Captain Du?" Su Qing wondered. ’This Du Changting isn’t going to try and recruit me for the Public Security Bureau too, is he? I absolutely don’t want to do that.’
"Don’t worry," Du Changting said quickly. "I heard from Old Feng that you have no intention of joining the force. I’m not here to recruit you. I actually came to ask you about something."
"What is it?" Su Qing was completely baffled, unable to figure out the real reason for Captain Du’s visit.
"It’s like this," Du Changting began. "The bureau has had two cases recently that were progressing very slowly. In one, the suspect was hiding in Baihua Mountain. The mountain is vast and the forests are dense, making a search extremely difficult. The other case was stalled due to a lack of clues, which made finding the suspect a monumental task. However, in both cases, we received help from a mysterious individual."
As he spoke, Du Changting paused, his gaze fixed on Su Qing’s eyes.
